access to independence

SUCCESS STORY

Love Grows Here
by Renee Gauthier
The garden at Sharp Rehab Hospital is filled with Mexican sage, snapdragons, chocolate mint, and pineapple basil. Ceramic statues of deer and turtles, cherubs and gnomes, and miniature bridges add magic and fantasy to the eclectic display of plant life. And if you’re lucky, you can see live dwarf bunnies make a special appearance in the evening. This is a place of respite for many; patients, nurses, therapists, family, friends, and social workers. Many come here alone for a breath of fresh air and a moment of peace, but it is also a meeting ground for evaluation and planning, and most importantly social events. I grew to love this little garden, with the freeway noise in the background and the plethora of emotions that we all carried with us. One late morning I was sitting at an outdoor table, contemplating the challenges of the day and the future ahead, when I looked over and for the first time read the words on four hanging garden plaques. Three small polka dotted signs read “Strength. Courage. Hope.” Underneath was another sign stating “Love Grows Here.” These words of Encouragement rang true to the overall feeling that I’d had since I first encountered this garden. Amidst the tremendous pain and fear that patients and loved ones experience at this hospital, there is continuous thread of love and support that brings us together and keeps us going.

My visits to this garden were part of my many visits with my boyfriend Tony Radna. Tony and I were set up by a mutual friend in February of this year. I had no idea where our relationship would go, but from the beginning I had a queasy feeling that I was “falling” for him. A month later, Tony physically fell at home and suffered a spinal cord injury at C5-C6. He spent 16 traumatic hours home alone until his good friend happened to find him. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he underwent 2 surgeries and was then held in the ICU trauma ward. In the first stages after his accident he could not move anything in his body and the prognosis for his recovery was not good. He was soon transferred to Sharp

Rehabilitation Hospital where he spent the next 3 months in intensive therapy. Tony’s primary care doctor first diagnosed him as a complete quadriplegic, and predicted he would need 24 care for the rest of his life. The news was devastating for Tony, but after the initial shock, he made a conscious choice not to adhere to this prediction. He was determined to recover and to live an independent life.

Within a week or two of his arrival at Sharp, Amy and Dylan from Access to Independence contacted Tony. Even though he was far from being discharged, Access to Independence was quick to offer their services to help him prepare for returning home and for creating an independent life. The met with Tony 3 or 4 times in the garden at the hospital to discuss housing options, transportation, support groups, and financial assistance. Most importantly, they presented a realistic and inspiring possibility of being independent while living with a disability.

After looking into all of the independent housing options, Tony and I decided to move in together. I found a great house for us in Hillcrest, conveniently located around the corner from Access to Independence. However, the steps in front of the house prevented any wheelchair access. Amy and Dylan at Access referred me to the SOARing Foundation that was able to build us a wheelchair ramp for free. Actually, there was a share of cost for ramp, but Access to Independence generously covered the costs for us. When Tony returned home, Dylan followed up with a home visit and again offered the agencies services if needed. A short time later, Access to Independence donated goods and copy services for our fundraiser garage sale.

Access to Independence is an amazingly supportive and invaluable resource to the community. Tony and I are extremely grateful to Amy, Dylan, and the entire staff at Access to Independence for reaching out to help Tony with his transition home. Just like the encouraging words on the garden signs, Access to Independence inspired us with strength, courage, hope and love.

YOUR HELP IS ESSENTIAL!

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSITION OF A CONSUMER by Sharon McCabe

There isn’t a typical transition consumer; they are as diverse as our population, but they all have a few things in common, they have a disability, most likely nowhere else to turn, and are ready to transition from an institutional settings to living in community setting. The story above is told by, the girl friend of the person who is actually living it, and you will get an idea about the challenges and barriers that plague a transition consumer.

Our a2i counselors determine the needs of the consumer, remember, they won’t be taking their sheets, towels or dishes with them when they leave the facility, and they typically don’t have the resources to acquire them on their own. We provide the skills necessary to live independently, and our funding provides food, utilities, linens, rent, and other essentials to get the consumer started in an independent environment.

This is the first time we have asked for donations for a specific program, or person; there is a face and genuine need connected to this plea, please help us help our consumers!

The following is an example of what your donation dollars will purchase:

Rent $678.38
Food 141.00
Linens 80.22
Shipping Cost 50.00

Currently, a2i has a waiting list of people who desperately want to claim, or reclaim their independence; you can help, please write your check to a2i in one of the amounts indicated above. You can use the pre-paid donation envelope enclosed in your newsletter.

There is always an option for you to sponsor the total cost of the average transition - $1,450, you can dedicate $1,450 to a specific consumer, and you will receive a brief but *personal progress report updating you on how your money is being spent. We acknowledge all supporters, but we give special recognition to those who provide the entire $1,450; you will also be featured in our newsletter and web site.
FEATURED PROGRAM

THE LILIPAD TRANSITION PROGRAM by Dylan Boot & Gail Davis-Fradet

Tony has been assisted by the LiliPad Initiative Program, part of a2i’s Transition Program. The LiliPad Initiative is a two year pilot project sponsored by the California Endowment. LiliPad is a unique transition program because it’s staff work to foster a partnership between a2i and hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities and other medical institutions. The consumer also has access to peer mentors and support groups should he or she choose to participate

INDEPENDENT LIVING PHILOSOPHY by Louis Frick

"Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect. Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves, do not need anybody, or that we want to live in isolation."

Independent Living means that we demand the same control in our everyday lives that people without disabilities take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and abilities, and start families of our own. Just as everybody else, we need to be in charge of our lives, and think and speak for ourselves.
Central to what we do is educating employers, politicians, people with disabilities and the broader community about disability-related issues and perspectives.

An equally critical function is providing a range of services designed to enable persons with disabilities to live independently.

LEGISTATION

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON IMPORTANT DISABILITY ISSUE by Louis Frick

On Wednesday, September 26 the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the Community Choice Act (H.R. 1621, S.799), legislation that would give individuals who are eligible for nursing home services or other institutional care equal access to community-based services and supports, like attendant services.

Several senators attended the hearing and were attentive and asked numerous questions of the panelists, who included: Senator Harkin (D-IA), the author of the Community Choice Act, Bob Liston, an advocate from Montana, Mitch LaPlante of the University of California, San Francisco, Patrick Flood, the Director of Health and Human Services of Vermont, and Kevin Concannon, Director of Health and Human Services of Iowa.

At the end of the hearing Senator Baucus agreed to ask the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to revisit the cost estimate associated with the Community Choice Act, which advocates consider a positive sign.

NEWS & EVENTS

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME
By Sharon McCabe

Accesses to Independence sold our building, located at 1295 University Ave, in Hillcrest, on August 16,2007, we are renting from the new owners; everything is pretty much the same, except that we are now looking for a new home. The building committee has already looked at dozens of possibilities, but none have met all our requirements. We are convinced the perfect building is out there, but it is critical that it meets as many of our needs as possible, while keeping within the established budget guidelines.

a2i is committed to providing continually enhanced services to our consumers, and, our programs will develop and evolve to keep pace with consumer needs.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND ATTITUDES & ASSUMPTIONS by Diana Carson
What is your idea of a great time on the hottest day of Summer? Well, if you ask Mark Carlson and Ruben Ceballos of Access to Independence, the answer of course is presenting to seven hundred and fifty elementary school students over a two day period on the subjects of Assistive Technology and Attitudes & Assumptions. These students attend Corky McMillin Elementary School in Chula Vista. Once a year, the school’s PTA hosts an Ability Awareness Celebration where students rotate through stations on five topics: Assistive Technology, Accessibility, Attitudes & Assumptions, Disability Rights History, and People First & Dignifying Language. Stations are manned by individuals who experience disability or advocates for disability rights and are designed to instill respect, not pity, for people with disabilities. Carlson and Ceballos make it their mission to empower students with this perspective year after year. What do they get in return for roasting in the heat and spreading their wealth of knowledge one rotation at a time? They get lots of hand-made, crayon-laden cards and letters from their new friends. But perhaps more fulfilling is the satisfaction of knowing that these newly enlightened minds will grow into enlightened adults who will create progressive policies for tomorrow.

OUTREACH TO SCHOOL CHILDREN by Mark Carlson
There are two things we most enjoy in this job. One, we like the feeling of accomplishment, of making a difference in the lives of our consumers and the community. Two, and the best, is the way we know the future is being molded by the children we meet at outreaches. When we do something like the Disability Awareness Celebration at Corkey-McMillin Elementary in Chula Vista, we talk with over 700 kids from 1-6 grade. That’s a lot, but one thing always stands out; the wonder, the open, frank curiosity children display when faced with something even their parents shy away from: Persons with Disabilities.

To talk to kids, to help them learn, is an investment in our future and theirs. They think the Assistive Technology is ‘cool’ that the way we do things ‘just a little differently’ is fascinating, but the real attention-getter is a Service Dog. Musket is my guide dog, and, never a stranger to public attention, He gets petted and admired by EVERYBODY. Kids we met two years ago remember his name and want to say hi.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Access to Independence, through advocacy, education and opportunity, promotes full inclusion by empowering and challenging people with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential.

Please Note the Pre-Paid Donation Envelope in Your Newsletter, Your Donation in Any Amount is Valued, and
Acknowledged.
LOCATION OF OFFICES
Access to Independence of San Diego
1295 University Ave., Ste. #10
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 293-3500 Voice
(619) 293-3508 Fax
(619) 293-7757 TTY/TDD
(800) 300-4326 Voice
(800) 959-9395 TTY/TDD
Access to Independence of Imperial Valley
584 Main Street, Ste. C
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 353-4191 Voice
(760) 353-4474 Fax
(760) 353-2802 TTY/TDD
Access to Independence of North County
209 E. Broadway
Vista, CA 92084
Voice (760) 643-0447
TDD (760) 643-0452
Fax (760) 643-0453

BOARD LIST
CHAIR
Mark Guglielmo
(member since 7-17-02)
Committees: Finance & Public Relations & Fundraising
mguglielmo@padres.com

SECRETARY
David Curnow(D)
member since 1-16-02)
david.curnow@usdoj.gov

TREASURER
Caren Sax
(member since 10-16-02)
csax@mail.sdsu.edu

Susan Pontac(D)
(member since 7-26-04)
Committees: Program & Safety
susanpontac@cox.net

Claudia Gucitua Silva
(member since 8-18-04)
csilva@ci.national-city.ca.us
simonsilva@cox.net

Cheryl Shensa(D)
(member since 2-16-05)
cheryl.shensa@jud.ca.gov

Raymond Uzeta
(member since 2-01-07)
ruzeta@chicanofederation.org

Thanks to Our Funders
Robert Gallivan
Tim McCarthy
Burnham Real Estate
Regents Bank
Claudia Hardin
PardeeHomes
United Domestic Workers of America
Cynthia Rich
Artis Kalivas
George Cossolias
Stephanie Murphy
Caren Sax
J. Marie Tuthill
Center for an Accessible Society
United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County
Cheryl Shensa
J. Robert Dyment
Janet Henderson
Houston Burnside
Kama Dean
Leslie Dowaschinski
Bryan Ducote
Meghan Federico
Jennifer Gallivan
Edward Jex
Edward Jex
Fred McFarland
Stacy Meronoff
Susan Pontac
Kathleen Porter
Michael Prairie
Steve Rippe
Alisa Shuman
Ferne Stratton
R. Sweeney
Andrew Taylor
Jerry Todd
Kenneth Wagner
Jean Zagrodnik
Cohn Restaurant Group
REYESarchitects, Inc.
San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council

Cyndi Jones
Rachel Jonte
Irene Kalivas
Jeannel King
Albert Krumm
Betty Landers
Andrew Mudryk
Erin Regan
Karen Samsen
Claudia Silva
Mary Ellen Stives
Dolores Thompson
Lisa St. George
Henry Tank
Alma Balko
Jerry Barber
Lindsey Carruthers
Erica Davidson
Michele Gray
David Juare
Elyse Lowe
Susan Mack
Ann Menasche
Kimberly Sanborn
Eric Sandler
Nicole Steele
Reed Vickerman
Heather Whitley
Brad Williams
Cheryl Vazza-Scott
Kate Anderson
Jean Nelson
Michelle Pearce
Pamela Boynton
Margaret Egler
Bill Guth
Sean Wherley
Judith Bambace
Steven Burbidge
Arnold Fluster
Judy Forrester
Kathleen Houck
Gordon Janko